Copa draw hampers Villarreal’s bid to reach 2027 Supercopa in Qatar | OneFootball

Villarreal’s route to a first Supercopa de España appearance in 2027 in Qatar has narrowed after the Copa del Rey semi-final draw paired Atlético Madrid with Barcelona.

El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that the club, knocked out by Racing de Santander in the round of 32, had been eyeing Friday’s draw in Las Rozas to gauge their chances.

A final between Atlético and Barcelona is now impossible, the only scenario that would have opened a place for La Liga’s fourth-placed side, a plausible route given Marcelino’s team hold a sizeable advantage over fifth.

Under the new picture, if Atlético reach the final, Villarreal would have to finish second, because if they end third and Diego Simeone’s team fourth, Atlético would take the Supercopa spot via the Cup.

The realistic path is Barcelona reaching the final and Villarreal finishing third. In that case, the top two in La Liga, with signs pointing to Barcelona and Real Madrid, would go alongside the other Cup finalist, Real Sociedad or Athletic, with Villarreal included as third.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo